thermal Physics Flashcards
What is thermal equilibrium
No net transfer of energy between the 3 phases of matter
What is the absolute temperature scale
Uses the triple point of pure water and absolute zero (lowest possible temperature)
Degrees to kelvin : + 273
Describe solids
Regularly arranged
Packed closely together
Strong electrostatic forces
Fixed positions (can vibrate)
Therefore have kinetic energy
What is the internal energy of a substance
The sum of the randomly distributed kinetic and potential energies of atoms or molecules within the substance
Why can you never reach 0K
Because the potential energy of a substance can never be zero, substances always have electrostatic potential energy within the particles
What is the specific heat capacity of a substance
The energy required per unit mass to increase the temperature by 1k
Specific latent heat definition
The energy required to chance the phase (state) per unit mass whilst at a constant temperature
